PM wants investigation into fainting workers, students

Prime Minister Hun Sen has called for an investigation into why workers and students faint in factories and schools.

Speaking at a meeting with workers in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, Mr Hun Sen said employees had continually fainted at many factories as well as some students in schools.

“We should expand our investigation about the phenomenon of people fainting,” he said. “We should study the phenomenon to find a solution.”

He added that if the reason or cause of the mass faints is found prevention will be easier.

The number of garment workers who fainted in 2017 decreased 28 percent if compared with 2016, with 18 factories hit by fainting incidents.

A total of 1,160 workers fainted in 2017, of which 1,159 were women, according to a report from the National Social Security Fund.

The report said the main reasons for workers fainting included pesticides being sprayed on nearby rice fields, strong chemical glues used in footwear factories, steam from boilers, poor environments around the factories, malnutrition, poor ventilation within the workplace, stress and sometimes the belief in supernatural forces.

In December, more than 40 students at high schools in Ratanakiri and Kampot provinces fainted. Last month, more than 10 students at Bak Chenhchean senior high school in Pursat province’s Phnom Kravanh district fainted.

Mr Hun Sen wanted experts from the Health Ministry and the World Health Organisation to work together to find the causes of the fainting.

The 6th Annual Tiger Street Football Festival 2018 continues this Sunday in Poipet city in what promises to be another dazzling display of intense futsal action and a fun superstar after-games party with performers and DJs.